Sony loses patent suit, ordered to pay $18.5 million

Way back in 2006, Lucent-spin off Agere Systems filed a lawsuit against Sony, claiming the electronics behemoth had infringed on not one, not two, but eight of its patents. As it turns out a prior deal with Lucent gave Sony the rights to use seven of those, but that one unlicensed patent became Sony's weak point, allowing Agere's lawyers to inflict massive damage(s). The jury's findings state not only that Sony wrongly utilized Agere's intellectual property in the mylo, Network Walkman, and the PSP, but that there was "clear and convincing evidence that such infringement was willful." In other words: big payout, in this case an eye-opening $18.5 million. Don't blame us Sony, we told you to settle! [Warning: PDF read link]

[Via PSP Fanboy]

[Saltboy Posted Nov 20th 2008 11:32AM]

Sony is not blocking all Netflix movies on Xbox 360. Just the Columbia releases. What about the Karma of Fable 2 only on Xbox?

[majortom1981 Posted Nov 20th 2008 12:34PM]

Agere which is now owned by lsi manufactures networking and media chips. So its probably the network chip in sonys psp and mylo products that infringes on the patent. The title is like a summary of sorts

This lawsuit actually has merrit. Agere is not some patent troll company.

[meehalicious Posted Nov 20th 2008 2:34PM]

why is everyone a Sony hater? companies like Sony work hard to provide electronics and software so that you lonely haters can type on a computer when you should be outside getting some exercise. put the cheesburger down and get a life.

by the way, maybe when anyone criticises a company they should also provide a list of the products they have invented, and what patents they hold.

my guess is that list will be VERY short.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 20th 2008 2:51PM]

I'm glad they got to pay $18.5 Million dollars, Sony you guys are a bunch of beyoootches and that's what you get for not allowing Netflix to stream Sony content.....BWAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 20th 2008 9:50PM]

So the article reads that Sony infringed on eight of Agere's patents. Then it back tracks... So it looks to be more like one... Yes?